A SPIRITUAL FIRE IS COMING TO ATHENS, GEORGIA
Last night our group went into one of the most dangerous “favelas” in the city of Rio de Janeiro. The service was in a small Methodist Church and as we prayed and worshipped the Lord a thought came into my mind that literally caused me to be filled with fear. The thought was, “Send them into the streets and bring to lost to Me.” For a moment I doubted and questioned the validity of having American youth walking the some of the most dangerous streets of Rio de Janeiro.
When I told them, “Go out to the street and bring the lost to Jesus,” not only our students but the entire congregation emptied the church in less than five seconds. They all disappeared out of building into the dangerous streets. In the following 10 minutes my heart pounded in my chest. I thought about leaving the pulpit to go and find out what was happening out there when dozens of young people, many of them armed with guns, began to come into the church to the altar area and kneel before the cross.
A jolt of energy hit my veins and I began to pray for each of them, so loud that the neighbors began to come to their windows and remained there, watching. Some of them pointed to someone they knew who was kneeling at the foot of the cross.
Alan Sell prayed for a young man who was one of the main leaders of the drug rings, as the young man cried out of control before God. Karlee Baumann prayed for an elderly man who had his hands lifted into the air. Zach Stubblefield knelt down to pray for several young men who were under the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Jordan Kinsey cried over a little girl while Joey Hendrickson prayed so loud that I could hear him from the other side of the room. Gabby Matthews began to dance with little girls. Cali Ware was praying with a tall blonde lady dressed in black who had lost a baby and wanted another one.
Lucas Rocheleau had several young man kneeling before the cross, praying for them one after another. Katie Freeland was in tears walking around, praying. Jerrod Reader was praying for the children. Phillip Wages was on the ground with a young man who was broken and in tears. Kelly Quarterman found a couple of girls and prayed with power. Nathan Dickens cried out over several of those with guns.
For a moment my heart went to the parents of these young people and all I thought was, “I wish my own were here to be a part of this.” The air was filled with a mist that covered us all. All I could see was a white glare as if glory was shining everywhere. Many wept openly, others sat with their heads down. This happened last night before my God.
God, I ask You to send this same fire to Athens, Georgia in our meeting of August 23-25 at the Civic Center. Send a glory like the one which came to Marechal Deodoro, Brazil last night and shake the whole city. God, save the lost, heal the sick, wake those who are apathetic to the gospel. God, fill the pastors who are coming in need of power for ministry. God, pour upon us on August 23-25. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen
Rick Bonfim
Edited by B. Mckinney
Amen! Amen a thousand times over in Jesus’ name, Bro. Rick! I have been and will continue to agree that revival fire consume the Body of Christ in the greater Athens area and flood the streets!
Blessings to you and the team in Brazil!
John
ps-We have met each other before a while back in Athens and our paths have crossed often. I speak a blessing over you and your ministry. Hopefully, I can be with you at the Civic Center at the end of August! I have to be in Tulsa, OK around that time but well see what God does!
Comment by Apostle/Pastor John Buckley — June 11, 2007 @ 11:52 am
That is awesome. I wish I could still be there.
Comment by Ryan — June 11, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Rick,
Wow! Amen and Amen. Continuing to pray for you, this group and others this summer, Nathan and Zack and RTF Conference.
In His grip,
Ed
Comment by Ed Dickens — June 11, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
I am praying that God will continue to speak boldly through you by the power of the Holy Ghost
Comment by Pastor Ozzie Hanson — June 11, 2007 @ 5:37 pm
Rick: I am praying & fasting for you & the group there & for the RTF in Aug. I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing & will keep on doing.I know that things will be great in Athens & that GOD is in control of all things. Blessing to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Janette
Comment by Janette — June 11, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
Dear Rick and the Ministry Team,
Tears stream down my face as I read your words. The fire and rain is in Brazil, as God allowed me to see it three years ago when I was on the Ladies Mission Trip with Mary Lucy.. I have been in constant pray since I received your report a couple of days ago. I long to be in Brazil every day I live. There is revival there, there is love there , is a mighty movement of the Holy Spirit that rivals none I have ever witness felt, or been filled with.
I had my radio on the way home from church yesterday, and there was a pastor preaching in our country that there are no prophets in this day, that there are no miracles in this day, that people better wake up to the false leadings of ministers. It is with an angry heart I hate to say I reached up and turned off my radio, shaking my head and asking God what it is going to take to bring revival to our land before it is completely swallowed up with pastors that are no longer pastors but many that prey on their congregations. I believe that God is going to bring revival all over the world, I believe just as it is probably right now in a service in Brazil that I write this that God is blowing doors off, I believe that you and all that God is using to reach thousands, and the whole ministry is a part of this revival.
My heart aches as I see and hear things in our country that grieve me and make me physically ill. And people in other countries in Europe are begging for more of Jesus, and a spiritual awakening is happened. People, all falling on altars all over the rest of the world. You ask for a healing Pastor Rick, you are receiving that healing and God is pouring that healing through you all over the world. You are full of his gospel and you are a vessel to reach thousands as well as all of us that have heard you speak and opened up to the message God was speaking to us through you. I praise God everyday for this ministry. I and many others have listened to that still small voice, you’re not too dirty, you’re my child, your here to do my work… have been to Brazil to reach the lost and help the hungry… Since the first year I went to Brazil, my favorite scripture has been Matthew 28:16-20. Where Jesus spoke “The Great Commssion”.Praise God for his Blessings, Praise God for his Mercy, Praise God for his Power and Love. Praise God with our lips with our hands, with our voices with our lives.
Our country, our leaders, and our churches need to break down the false faces and meaningless traces and allow the Holy Spirit to break open America, bring false teachings, and those that are speaking them let them find themselves at the foot of the cross with their face in the mud. I have been there.
One thing that struck me when I was at the mission in November 06 we were in the middle of worship and I looked down and in front of the church, were the children, raising their hands, signing the songs, and dancing and praising God. In America, that wouldn’t happen. It would be considered out of order. But these children were worshiping GOD… Something, we seem to be allowing bondage in our worship and Thankfulness to God. Yet the first thing we do is ask him for help and ask for Prayer when something is wrong.
Pastor Rick you are a man of God and the Gospel. The first time I heard you speak you stopped in the middle of speaking and ask me what I was thinking. Pointed me out of a crowd. I was on the edge of my seat and all I could say was I don’t know except whatever it is I want more of what you got….
I received it that day and I have never been the same. My heart is opened and spilled out with Love of my God, with his word and the people in Brazil. I long to be there everyday… that I’m not there. WE are all praying for you and each team member… Follow Gods prompting Pastor Rick. It’s what helped save me and I had been a “Christian”!!! All my life. No I had been religious; now Christ Really lives in me and has filled me with his love and understanding.
Please keep us continually posted throughout this trip… You are being prayed for and each team member is also…I know God is going to minister to many before this group gets home as each of you have freely opened your hearts to his prompting.
In Service Together for the King,
Judy Mason
Comment by Judy Mason — June 12, 2007 @ 12:37 am
Dear Rick:
I will be praying with you and agreeing with you that many will open their hearts to Jesus.
Glenn and I are looking forward to Aldersgate in July. Looking forward to being in one of your classes. I want to be more bold for Jesus.
Barbara
Comment by Barbara Patterson — June 12, 2007 @ 1:05 pm
Pastor Rick, we stand in agreement with your prayer for Rekindle the Flame on August 23-25–may the altar of our hearts be ignited with the love, power, and fire of the Holy Spirit as we prepare ourselved as living sacrifices to carry His Glory. We rejoice with you, dear brother, that the Lord has poured such great grace upon you and the team–our prayer shall be that He will continue to do so. In His great grace and love–Ben and Kay
Comment by Kay Harris — June 12, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
venho pedir horacao por um grande amigo que esta enternado em volta redonda no hospital sao joao batista nome dele marcelo souto santana esta com encefalite viral desde o carnaval por favor ajudem este meu amigo recebi oracao de vcs guando vieram em carmo e fiquei muito felis um grande abraco a todos que estiveram aqui principalmente na loira que orou por mim
Comment by dirlene carvalho menezes — March 19, 2008 @ 3:22 pm